Small Note

Sakura: In this chapter I added a few things that two of my readers wanted to read about. The first one is from Nekoyasha, who wanted to see Raven and Yuugi's relationship since she is new to the family, then dragonlady222, who wanted to read a little more about Chan and Kotaro. I figured it was a good idea to get more into the family since I mainly focused on Yuugi in Vampire City. Thanks to both those readers for throwing those ideas at me.


Chapter Seven

FAMILY

Those who care and love each other


The months rolled by and before long December had fallen upon the Vampire City. The city was buzzing with cheerful citizens preparing for the holidays and the upcoming Winter Ball held every year at the palace. Decorations were hung everywhere in homes, on the streets, and in shops. Vampires and humans alike seem to come together more during the holidays, but there were still those that distance themselves.

While the shield around the city prevents anyone from leaving the city or entering the city unless it is through a portal, it does let in the weather in the surrounding area. When the weather changes or storms come rolling in, the city is effect by it. Given the city is located in the middle of the ocean, there is never much snow in the winter, unless a few clouds pass by and sprinkle some down. The most the city had ever gotten was an inch or so of snow, but when it does come it is a blessing to some.

It was only about two weeks into December when a small snow storm blew through and with it a few inches of snow, but nothing too serious that would stop people from doing their jobs or driving in the streets. Thanks to this welcomed gift of snow, the two sleeping Kings were rudely awakened by two of their children, who were overly excited by the weather.

Chan who was still in her night gown sat on her father's legs trying to get him to wake up. She bounced in excitement causing the man under her to groan. "Come on daddy! It's so pretty outside!"

"Chan and I want to go outside and play in it," Kotaro pointed out from where he sat beside Yuugi trying to shake his papa awake.

Yuugi yawned and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. When he looked at his nightstand, he saw the alarm clock read seven in the morning. Normally by now both he and his husband would already be awake to eat breakfast before starting their duties for the day, but the day before had stressed them out, so they had wanted to sleep in.

"Do you two have any idea what time it is?" Yuugi asked them as he sat up and stretched his back out. Thankfully Yuugi and Yami had been too tired to do anything the night before and both were dressed in their night clothes.

Kotaro took one look at the clock before looking at Yuugi with a big smile. "It's seven, perfect time to go out and play before everyone else wakes up."

Yuugi couldn't help but chuckle at Kotaro's way of thinking. "Alright, how about this, you two go get ready and eat some breakfast. Once I get your father up, we will see about going outside okay?" He told them trying to play the good guy. Honestly it wouldn't bother Yuugi and Yami if the two went outside without them, but those two still felt like the two Kings should go with them, which in turn showed how much they still acted like children.

Chan and Kotaro happily agreed with that as they hurried out of the room to go get ready. This left Yuugi with a lazy King to still wake up who was faking sleep hoping his children would go away. The younger King kissed his husband's cheek, before swiftly pushing him out of the bed.

The older King couldn't even get a word of surprise out as he found himself on the floor kissing the ground. He laid there for a minute trying wrap his head around what had just happened, before finally looking up at Yuugi, who was looking down at him laughing.

"Oh honey the look on your face was priceless," Yuugi said once he had calmed down. He then crawled down off the bed and into his husband's lap once Yami had sat up. "I didn't hurt you did I?"

Yami shook his head and ran his fingers through his hair which was messed up from sleep. "No, I think if anything my pride is hurt. You know there are easier ways to wake me up."

"Yes I know that, but the last time I tried kissing you awake we didn't get out of bed until noon. At least this way you get your lazy butt out of bed." Yuugi did lean up and kiss his husband good morning and as an apology. "Now, let's get ready before those two come back and drag us out in our pajamas."

The Vampire King sighed, but got up nonetheless to get the day started. He had been looking forward to sleeping in, but with two children vampires running around, it was most likely not going to happen. "I think we need to set some more ground rules about them waking us up."

Yuugi walked over to their balcony to open the curtains and take a look outside. "Oh Yami stop whining and come over here. They weren't kidding when they said it looks pretty outside. Besides they are kids at heart and all children love the snow."

Yami took the time to join Yuugi and wrap his arms around his husband as they took a look outside. They had a great view of the city and at that moment the whole city was blanketed in freshly fallen snow. It wasn't but a few inches, but it still gave the place a beautiful look to it. "I've got to admit that is some view."

"It sure got Chan and Kotaro excited. I think it will do us some good to hang out with the kids today and have a little family fun." Yuugi pointed out. The older children probably already had plans for the day, but Chan and Kotaro just wanted to have fun with their parents.

There was no way Yami could deny his husband the chance to enjoy some fun with their children, so after tearing their eyes away from the site outside they set about getting ready for the day.


An hour later found the two Kings and their younger children outside playing in the snow. They chose the Kings private garden so there was room for Chan and Kotaro to run around. Plus the fallen snow would not have been touch by anyone by the time they arrived. It was like a frozen wonderland since everything was covered in snow and the trees had been decorated by all the children with strings of lights. The fountain had been shut down for the winter, but the water that was settled on the bottom had frozen over. If it had been large enough the children probably would have wanted to go skating on it.

While the children played, Yuugi and Yami made themselves comfortable on a bench under the gazebo. They were both dressed in black jeans, Yuugi wore a purple long sleeve shirt, and Yami wore a short sleeve maroon shirt. Vampires did not feel the cold like humans, but that still didn't stop Yami from bringing a blanket to wrap around the two of them so they could cuddle.

Kotaro hid behind a tree as his sister tried to hit him with snow balls. He kneeled down on the ground to make more, before peeping around to see that his sister got the same idea and was hiding behind the fountain. There was never a day that went by that he didn't love playing with his sister. They had been together for over a hundred years. When he was a human Kotaro grew up without parents who loved him and no siblings. The only good thing his parents ever did for him was dropping him off in Vampire City. He never could understand why they did it and since they had been dead for years he would never find out. Yami had once told him, that it was because something probably happened and they had to get rid of him or fear getting in trouble. They may have not wanted murder on their hands so they just dumped him in a place no one would find him. Either way Kotaro was much happy with his life, because he now had parents who cared for him and siblings who were always fun to be around.

His little sister was everything to him given they were close to the same age. Most vampire children were older than them, plus they never really left the palace that often. Chan was a one of a kind girl that Kotaro would do anything to protect. Even when they had fights they could never stay mad at each other for long.

The boy checked his surroundings one more time to see if Chan had moved, but she was still kneeling behind the fountain. A plan already formed in his head, Kotaro gathered as much snow in his arms that he could carry, before quietly moving from behind the tree and using other objects around the garden to sneak up behind Chan.

Chan had about ten or so snowballs formed in perfect balls when out of nowhere she was attacked from behind. Snow had been dumped on her head and was slowly running down her back side. She quickly turned and glared daggers at a laughing Kotaro. "Big brother!"

Kotaro just grinned at her. "You should have been more careful where you hid little sister." He reached out and wiped some of the snow from her hair. He loved messing with his sister, but sometimes she would get pissed at his dirty tricks. "Okay, how about we call the snow ball fight off for now and kick the ball around some."

"You only want to quit because you knew I was going to beat you." Chan said as she dusted her clothes off. Sometimes her brothers could get on her nerves. It had been hard being the only girl in the family until Raven came along. Her new sister was okay, but she liked to hang out with Jason and the other older boys more. It frustrated Chan so much being so little and the only friend she had was her brother Kotaro. Her parents always saw her as special and loved her to death, but sometimes she just wished she had been older before being changed.

Kotaro noticed the look in his sister's eyes and grabbed her hands. "Hey, no bad thoughts okay. I'm sorry I did that to you. I'll play fair from now on, since I know you love to beat me."

Chan nodded and couldn't stop the smile that lit up her face. The two found their ball hiding in the snow and started to kick it around. Kotaro always knew the right things to say since he had to deal with the same things Chan had to deal with. People always saw them as children, even when they were older than all the humans in the city, plus a good few of the vampires. They were wise beyond their years and could hold their own in a fight. If only people stopped seeing them as children based on their height then it would hurt them less. They dealt with it every day and pain like that can never really fade away. Their parents treated them fair and like adults, but even they would forget that Chan and Kotaro are not children who needed to be babied.

In a way Chan and Kotaro enjoyed acting like children in some cases. They may be over a hundred years old, but given their size they are not given as much responsibility. Their father never sends them out to run errands or to do jobs around the palace. This is mostly because some people do not take them serious. Since they are not given as much responsibility this gives the two free time twenty four seven to do what they like. So as anyone would do if they have free time, the two do what they like and that is playing games, handing out, or just being lazy.

Moments like this one as their parents watch them kick the ball back and forth, they do enjoy. They get to be the children, who their parents give all their attention to. No matter how old they get the two want love and support from their parents.

"Kotaro!" Chan shouted with a stomp of her foot. Only her brother could kick the ball so that it would land in the tree right behind his sister. Her brother shouted out he was sorry as she made her way over to the tree. There were no low branches so she would have to try her best to climb up. She jumped as high as she could and latched on to the tree by hugging herself close to it. However there was no way to really grip the tree so she slid down onto her butt. "Uh! Kotaro needs to have better aim."

When she turned to get her brother over to help her, she found Yuugi standing behind her smiling down at her. "Hey, need any help?" He asked and she nodded her head.

"Yeah, Kotaro kicked the ball into the tree. Can you get it down, papa?"

Yuugi looked up at the tree and could see the ball wasn't that high up. If he jumped he could swing up onto the low branch and knock it down. Given Chan's height she would have never reached the low branch to swing up. "You know what I have a better idea." He said as he reached down and picked up Chan.

"What are you doing?" Chan asked as she looked over her shoulder at Yuugi.

"I'm going to tossing you up and you grab onto the branch okay. If you miss, I'll be here to catch you alright." The older vampire smiled at her to reassure her, "Are you ready Chan?"

Chan took a deep breath and nodded, she focused on the branch as Yuugi prepared to toss her. He counted to three before gently tossing her up, giving her enough height to grab the branch and swing up. She stood on the branch using the other branch above her to hold on to. She looked down at Yuugi with a smile. "I did it!"

"I knew you could, now can you reach the ball?"

Chan looked around her and saw that the ball was about one more branch up. She used the one above her to climb up before she punched the ball down. It went flying toward Kotaro who caught it with a smile on his face.

"Way to go sis!"

The younger girl felt so proud of her accomplishment and was glad Yuugi had allowed her to get it. She looked down at her papa and with a childlike laugh she jumped down into his arms. He swung her around causing her to laugh more, before gently putting her on the ground. As Chan looked up at her papa, she couldn't help the joy that she felt for having him in her life. Sure Yuugi wasn't a mother, but he was more of a mother to her than her real mother had been. Yuugi never saw her as a monster, but a vampire who just needed love.

Her father joined them not long after and ruffled his daughter's hair. "How about we all join in on the fun?" He suggested causing the children to agree with delight. The rest of the day was spent as a family enjoying the beautiful day that was upon them.


The day before the winter ball found the King's mate spending his afternoon in a woman's shop helping two young girls find new dresses. The place was packed thanks to the upcoming ball as every girl and woman in town seemed to have wanted to find a new outfit. Raven and Chan were no different and Yuugi just happened to be the unlucky soul who got to tag along. The King and his sons somehow all found excuses not to go and since Yuugi hated lying to the girls he got dragged into joining them.

At the moment he was sitting on a bench in front of the dressing rooms watching as women both young and old walked in and out of the rooms wearing different dresses. They would walk like they were in a fashion show to the mirrors before turning back and asking their friends or mothers what they thought. Everything around Yuugi was giving him a headache and he was the last one anyone would think to come to for fashion advice. He was the only male in the whole building and the looks he got from the younger women around him creeped him out. The only thing stopping any of them from approaching him or at least giving him their number was probably the ring on his finger and the fact that everyone knew he was the King's husband. Yami would probably throw a fit if anyone came onto what he considered as his soul mate. Not that Yuugi would ever leave Yami for another person, since Yami was the total package to him.

"Yuugi what about this one?" Raven asked as he stepped out in a blue evening gown that was rather plain. The dress she had on before had been too revealing and Yuugi was sure both Jason and Yami would disagree on it. Now the dress she had on just did not seem to fit her. Yuugi had no idea about fashion, but he was pretty sure he could at least help his daughters look good.

Yuugi let her spin around a few times before he shook his head. "It's a little plain, plus do you think you can dance in it with how long it is?"

Raven looked down and realized he was right. "At this rate I'm never going to find the right dress."

"It will come to you don't worry." Yuugi reassured her, "The only one you have to impress is Jason and I think he loves you in everything you wear."

"You have a point, but I want to make sure his eyes don't wonder off," Raven said with a glare at some of the other girls around her. "I don't know how many times I see a bunch of leeches coming up to my husband and putting their slimy hands all over him. He just laughs it off and tells me I'm the only girl, but I want to out shine everyone tomorrow."

"What about me?" The two older vampires turned to see Chan had stepped out of her dressing room in a beautiful dress that she finally picked out after hours of looking. It was pink like most of the clothes the girl wore, but the dress looked stunning on the small vampire. Her small figure and the way the dress shaped her almost made her seem like a child TV star.

The dress was simple at the top with black bead work lining the top and spaghetti straps along with black lace that tied the back together. The bottom of the dress flair out some with ruffles and reached the floor just enough to cover her feet.

Raven's attitude changed full circle as she picked her sister up with a smile. "Oh you look adorable! Every little boy is going to want to dance with you."

"Do you think Kotaro and daddy will like it?"

"There is no doubt, so you must pick this one okay?" Raven told her and the little girl nodded. "Now, I need yours and Yuugi's help in finding a dress."

Once Chan agree to help, Raven put her down and let the little girl get changed, while she went back in her dressing room to try on a new dress. Yuugi just lean against the wall with a sigh as he waited on them. At least one of the girls was done, but there was still Raven left. Ever since she came to live with them her whole life had revolved around Jason. She always had this fear that Jason would leave her for a younger woman given he was changed at fifteen and she was changed at twenty three. Yuugi became close to the young adult as she still continued to get used to the change of being a vampire wife to one of the King's son.

There was no doubt in Yuugi's mind that Jason loved his wife, but like any other couple they had their fights and Raven often felt insecure. Since she came to stay with them, Yuugi had been one of the few people she would come to when she needed to talk. The other siblings were close to Jason so Raven felt like she couldn't go to them if she and Jason were having a problem. Yami was often too busy, plus Raven never seemed to like to be near the King for long. Yuugi was the only one left in the family that Raven could turn to, so they developed a semi close relationship as a real father and daughter.

In a way it warmed Yuugi's heart since Raven was bought into the family after he had already been there for a while. She may have been married into the family, but Yuugi still felt a connection to her. He felt a connection to all his children, but something about Raven was different. Often he just figured it was because she was still getting used to the change and Yuugi had been still going through it. It would be years before either of them really felt like a true vampire. They were like the baby vampires of the family and it could get frustrating at times. Either way Yuugi would do anything to make sure all his children were happy whether they were a young or old vampire.

"Okay this one is my favorite out of all the dresses I have in there." Raven said as she peek her head out from around the door. "I just figured it wouldn't fit the theme of the ball. I found it on the clearance rack and figured I would still buy it for another occasion." As she stepped out both Yuugi and Chan went wide eyed.

The dress did not in any way match the coming up ball, but it fit Raven so prefect there was no way they would let her get away with wearing anything else but it. The dress was pure black with a spider web design all on it. Part of the bottom of the dress was pinned up to show the white ruffles underneath the bottom of the dress. There were no straps and it reached the floor just enough to cover her feet, but she would not have to worry about tripping over it.

"Raven its perfect!" Chan shouted gaining the attention from most of the shoppers. "I know Jason it going to love it."

Yuugi smiled at his daughters, before standing up and putting his hands on Raven's shoulders. "This is the real you and I think Jason is going to have to be the one trying to keep other men off of you."

A blush quickly formed on Raven's face, but she still smiled back at them as she hugged her father-in-law. "Thanks, I'm so going with this one!" She quickly went back into the dressing room to change clothes. Once Raven and Chan were sure of their picks they paid for the dresses then left the shop.

Yuugi stretched his back once they were outside glad to be out of that stuffy building, before turning to his daughters. "So what's next on the list?" He backed up a little when he saw the evil little grins on their faces. "Girls?"

Chan grabbed one hand while Raven grabbed the other. "Now it's your turn papa!" They shouted together and there was no time for protest as Yuugi was dragged down the street. He knew what was on their mind and for once he wished that he could be the one to pick out his outfit. Every year it was the same either Yami or the children would choose his outfit and this year looked like it wouldn't be any different.


Sakura: I guess I probably didn't get as much into Chan, Kotaro, and Raven's back stories as much as some people may have hoped, but you never know there could be another chapter later about them. I'm trying to give the children bigger roles in this story and try not to leave them out as much. Anyway next up is another winter ball and I promise that now things are going to get interesting in the next three chapters...

Yumi: Review!